I am thrilled to hear that Irish Rail has formally lodged a planning application to build a new train station in Moyross. People said our idea was a pipe dream when we proposed it a decade ago. But thanks to a broad coalition led by the community, it is now taking steps to becoming a reality.
In the past number of weeks, I have prioritised meetings with Irish Rail and its outgoing CEO Jim Meade and the National Transport Authority (NTA) to keep trying to get consents to lodge this application cleared by all.
Just yesterday, I also met with Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe here in Limerick, and emphasised the importance of funding this project fully through our asks in the new National Development Plan.
This proposed station is a cornerstone of the More for Limerick Mayoral Programme. Already this past 14 months, we’ve signed contracts for the Coonagh to Knockalisheen Distributor road which is well underway.
This planning submission is another small step towards turning ourambitious aims into a reality. A modern, accessible train station will link Moyross and areas like Caherdavin and Thomondgate, indeed the entire Northside, more directly with the wider Limerick region, to other major cities and hopefully soon to Shannon Airport. It will open access to education, jobs, and social opportunities, all while stimulating local business and community confidence.
The next step now is for the planning process to take its course and for these ideas to be brought to the people of Moyross and indeed beyond. I can move my focus to another key project – University Way.
We are continuing to write a new chapter for Moyross and this is another important element of that story.
More for Moyross.